The Brahmas were able to score three times and control the pace of the game in the team’s win, despite playing against a defensive minded team in the first round of the playoff.
The Pierce College women’s soccer team defeated LA Valley College 3-0 in the first round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs on Saturday afternoon. The third seeded Brahmas controlled nearly the entire game against the 14 seeded Monarchs.
Head coach Adolfo Perez thought that the key to victory was mental preparation by the home team Brahmas.
“I really believe we have the mental edge over this team. We scored four goals on them,” said Perez referring to the previous game they played against the Monarchs. “It’s hard for them to play us. I think the mental edge was huge.”
Perez also added that patience was a key factor in the victory.
“For this game, it was our patience,” said Perez. “They stacked it in the back and we were patient. It was good for us to score in the first half. It made it a lot easier for us.”
The Brahmas scored the first goal at the 25 minute mark. Freshman forward Sara Hernandez scored with a shot off the outside of her right foot. This was the second goal for Hernandez on the season.
At halftime, the Brahmas lead 1-0. Assistant coach Cruz Hernandez said the team was emotional to start the game.
“The first 10 minutes was kind of rough,” said Hernandez. “They let the emotions settle. After that, we did very well. We actually had 11 shots on goal. They only had two.”
Hernandez added that adjustments were made to begin the second half.
“Adjustments have been made,” said Hernandez. “Basically, they are playing a lot from the middle and then from the middle, they just play the wings. We are trying to put pressure on the back defense and the middle. That way, they don’t turn around and distribute the ball to the top.”
The Brahmas scored the second goal at the 70 minute mark. Sophomore midfielder Marissa Albano scored on a pass from sophomore defender Stephanie Alcazar.
The third and final goal of the game came from the team captain, sophomore Desiree Raygoza, who plays the defender position. She scored in the final ten minutes after a handball violation was called against the Monarchs.
Raygoza liked the effort that the team put forth in the victory.
“We did pretty good,” said Raygoza. “We played our hardest, but we always have more to give. I am very proud of the team.”
Raygoza said that she expects more energy from the team when they play Moorpark in the next round of the playoffs.
“We just need to come out with more energy than we did this time,” said Raygoza. “We know how they are, so we’re just going to give everything we have.”
The Brahmas ended with 24 shots on goal while holding the Monarchs to only three.
Assistant coach Hernandez added to how the team will prepare for their matchup against Moorpark.
“We tied both times we played this year,” said Hernandez. “Moorpark has gotten stronger as the season has gone on. The second time, we took them lightly, and they were up 2-0 on us. But, we knew we could come back. We tied the game, and gave ourselves a chance to win. So what we have to do with Moorpark on Tuesday is, from minute one, we have to press.”
The next game for the Brahmas will be against the Moorpark Raiders on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Pierce College.
